Did you know the ‘other’ reason why cards were included in Red Cross packages? It wasn’t all poker and solitaire.
Playing cards to pass the time
War can be hell… and war can be absolute boredom. There are few better ways to pass the time than by playing cards. They’re easy to carry: small and lightweight, they fit into a rucksack, duffel bag or Alice pack without having to sacrifice any piece of essential gear.
Plus – they’re cheap!
Wartime decks have been used to help soldiers in the field learn about their enemies and allies, to identify aircraft and even teach American history. In the 2003 invasion of Iraq, American forces used playing cards to identify the most wanted members of Saddam Hussein’s regime.
The U.S. Army and the United States Playing Card Company cooperation goes way back. But it was their brand Bicycle that took it to a whole new level.
During WWII, Allied Intelligence officers contacted the card company to produce the most clandestine deck of cards…
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e-Quips 
Don’t forget the song!
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What song?
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The Deck of Cards. Wink Martindale was one version I can remember
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Tex Ritter recorded it also.
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It did remind me of a cowboy song which is one of the reasons I think it may predate Vietnam. Thanks, Don.
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Thank you very much for sharing this post, Pat.
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I love the history part, GP. When I saw the title, I figured it was a post on how Smitty became a card shark. 😉
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Malc, had not heard the song but I had heard how a deck of cards could be used as a bible, almanac, and calendar. Just heard the song on YouTube. They dated the song back to Vietnam and my guess is that it dates back further than that.
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Great post Pat! And a good game of cards is something hard to pass up…All the best!
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Thanks, Francisco. I found it fascinating which is why I wanted to share it. 😉
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